Thinking about buying a green anole? You should! They are friendly, easy to care for, and make great beginner pets. They are also very easy to find online and can be shipped relatively cheap.
One question we commonly get asked is how long green anole lizards live in captivity. It’s a fair question after all, since you will be responsible for caring for it in its entirety.
So, how long do green anoles live in captivity? Let’s dive into the question and take a look.
How Long Do Green Anoles Live In Captivity?
In general, a green anole lizard will live somewhere between 3-5 years in captivity. However, some even live up to 7 years! There are many factors that will influence their lifespan, including:
- Temperature
- Diet
- Sanitation
- Living environment
Temperature
One of the most important things to consider when keeping a green anole lizard is temperature. They are tropical animals, so they need warm temperatures to survive. The ideal temperature for them is between 85 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature drops too low, they can become stressed and even die. Conversely, if the temperature gets too high, they can also become stressed and become severely dehydrated. So, it’s important to find that sweet spot and maintain it as best as you can.
Diet
Another important factor is diet. Green anoles need a diet that is high in protein in order to stay healthy and live a long life. A good way to ensure they are getting enough protein is to feed them crickets or mealworms. It’s also good to get into a feeding routine.
An on-and-off or inconsistent diet can take its toll over time, and can dramatically affect how long your green anole will live.
Sanitation
A dirty enclosure can quickly lead to problems. Bacteria and parasites can build up and make your green anole sick. So, it’s important to keep their enclosure clean. This means spot cleaning every day and doing a full deep clean once a week.
Living Environment
Last but not least is their living environment. Green anoles need a spacious enclosure that has plenty of hiding places. They also need vines or branches to climb on. A good rule of thumb is to get an enclosure that is at least 10 gallons per lizard.
If their enclosure is too small, they will become stressed, which can lead to health problems and shorten their lifespan.
Comparing Their Lifespan In The Wild vs In Captivity
When considering how long green anoles live in captivity, it’s also important to compare it to their lifespan in the wild.
In the wild, green anoles typically live between 2-3 years. So, in captivity, they can actually more than double their lifespan!
Of course, there are many factors that contribute to this, but the main reason is that they are less likely to be exposed to predators and diseases in captivity.
Overall, if you take good care of your green anole lizard, they can have a long and happy life. Just make sure to provide them with the proper diet, temperature, sanitation, and living environment and you’ll be well on your way!
Tips for Caring for Green Anole Lizards
Green anoles make great beginner pets because they are so easy to care for. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Get an enclosure that is at least 10 gallons per lizard. This will give them plenty of room to move around and be comfortable.
2. Make sure the temperature in their enclosure is between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for green anoles.
3. Feed them a diet that is high in protein. Crickets and mealworms are a great source of protein for green anoles.
4. Keep their enclosure clean by spot cleaning every day and doing a full deep clean once a week. This will help prevent bacteria and parasites from building up and making your green anole sick.
5. Provide them with hiding places and things to climb on, like vines or branches. Green anoles need a spacious and enrichment-filled enclosure to be happy and healthy.
By following these tips, you will be well on your way to providing the best care for your green anole lizard, and getting the most years out of them that you can.
